This boot-shaped peninsula looks a little like Southern Italy in shape and boasts a town named from that area (Sorrento) as well as an abundance of olive groves, wineries and wood-fired pizza but it’s very much a laid-back Australian holiday destination with lots of surf beaches, sailing clubs, farmer’s markets, mazes, horse-riding, hot springs, golf clubs and fabulous walks. We’ve been exploring this area for too many decades to mention and have put together some of the highlights not to miss.

Three places to watch the sunset over the sea in Portsea and Sorrento:

My nickname is Sunset Sal (also my Insta name sunset.sal) so you can figure I love sunsets. Mornington Peninsula is uniquely positioned in Victoria to offer a great range of sunsets (unlike the surf coast from Geelong to Port Fairy). Our picks to watch the golden orb descend into the sea are:

1. Diamond Bay, Sorrento (at the end of Diamond Bay rd.) – either down on the beach or up on the cliff tops. Or venture a little further around to St Pauls rd. and walk north 200 m to Jubilee Point – which sticks out so far you get gobsmacking views in both directions up and down the coast

2. Spray Point, Blairgowrie, (access at the end of Spray Point rd. and walk 500m or park in Koonya Beach Carpark and walk 500 north). Sit up top and watch the sunset and spray crash into the rocks, or go down on to Koonya beach and watch the sun reflect in the rock pools.

3. London Bridge, Portsea (access off London Bridge rd, then walk 300m to the viewing platform) and watch the sun set over towards the heads.

Three top beach picks in Portsea and Sorrento:

With beaches on all three sides of the Mornington Peninsula, you can always find a spot out of the wind.  Our top three picks are all around Sorrento and Portsea although Point Leo deserves a special mention.

1. If it’s a northerly, you’ll want to head to Portsea Back Beach off Back beach road and enjoy the big waves (patrolled in summer) near the surf club or head down to London Bridge for a little more shelter and space.

2. If it’s a southerly head to the protected beaches along Port Phillip Bay – our favourite is Tideways at the end of Westmore Avenue off Nepean Highway or Lavender Bay just south of Sorrento Sailing club.

3. For seclusion and a super pretty cove head to Diamond Bay at the end of Diamond Bay road (who knew!).

Three great walks on the Mornington Peninsula

There’s dozen of walks around the Mornington Peninsula so it’s hard to narrow it down to just three but I’ve given it a go here with three big walks you can break down in to chunks.

1. Koonya back beach Sorrento to London Bridge, Portsea. This 6 km (one way) coastal walk can be done in small 2 km chunks either Koonya back beach to Diamond Bay or Diamond Bay to Sorrento Back beach or Sorrento Back beach to Portsea Back beach or Portsea back beach Farnsworth track to London Bridge car park.
2. The secret door walk aka the Millionaire’s Walk (3km return) – Lentil Avenue Sorrento to Point King Portsea – This walks goes past the front of some pretty fine clifftop houses facing Port Phillip Bay. It looks and feels like you are walking through people’s front yards but it is actually crown land so enjoy respectfully!
3. Bushrangers Bay to Cape Schanck walk. This 2.6km (one way) walk goes through the bushland and past lots and lots of kangaroos and some great coastal scenery. Access from the Boneo Rd -Cape Schanck car park. It’s part of the two Bays longer walk.
4. Special mention: I have to throw in a fourth spectacular walk with benefits – the Sculpture walk at Pt. Leo Estate winery. Grab a glass of wine and wander up to 3km of paths around some fabulously colourful and quirky sculptures whilst gazing over Westernport Bay to Phillip Island. Magnificent! $10 a ticket for sculpturePt leo estate
5. walk.

Three best bars on the Mornington Peninsula

Once again there’s loads of places to enjoy a seaside drink on the Mornington Peninsula with Sorrento and Portsea pubs offering Port Phillip bay views, McCrae eateries offering water views down Dromana way, Pt. Leo Estate, Port Phillip Estate and RedHill Estate wineries all with ocean views over Westernport Bay and of course the numerous lookout points along the ocean from London Bridge to Sorrento Back Beach tower for a BYO tipple. If water views aren’t top of your list then there’s some pretty cosy and fun street bars (Pavillion, Sorrento, Morgans, Sorrento, Cafe du Port, Sorrento) breweries (St. Andrews’ Brewery )

1. Portsea Pub – this iconic pub has one of the best beer gardens with a view in Victoria. Perched on the exclusive clifftops overlooking Portsea pier you can watch the ferries fly across from Queenscliff, the Couta boats sail past and all the pretty young things strut their stuff.

2. Alatonero McCrae – this restaurant-bar has a large outdoor garden and terrace perfect for sipping cocktails in the late afternoon sun.

3. St. Andrews Beach Brewery, Rye- this old horse training facility was turned into a brewery a few years back and has a big outdoor terrace with timber tables perfect for sampling paddles of beer and cider on a summer afternoon.